Police: Two Protesters Who Entered Westport Temple Charged

Two men protesting the Israeli Defense Force were charged after entering a Westport temple, police say

WESTPORT — Two people were arrested after entering a local temple to protest the Israeli Defense Force Tuesday afternoon, police said.

According to police, Temple Israel was hosting a talk with members of the Israeli Defense Force when the incident happened. Daniel Fisher and Gregory Williams, both 25 and from New Haven, were charged with first-degree criminal trespass and second-degree breach of peace.

Fisher and Williams were taken into custody after entering the temple and then attempting to enter the room where the talk was taking place, police said. The staff prevented them from entering.

The two men had been told to leave but ignored that request, police said.

Police received additional reports that one of the suspects had a gun, but no gun was found. Coleytown Middle School, Coleytown Elementary School, the preschool at the Unitarian Church and the temple's nursery all were3 locked down initially.

Police said the two men said they were college students protesting the Israeli Defense Force.